National Weather Service forecasters are anticipating a sharp drop in temperatures across Central Oregon starting Monday, along with the first significant rain seen in the region since the spring.

Current forecasts call for 0.82 inches of rain in Bend through Wednesday and 0.66 inches in Redmond. It has been a drier-than-usual year in the region, with just 5.19 inches of precipitation in Bend since Jan. 1.

In an average year, Bend would have received just shy of 7 inches of precipitation by now.

Mike Murphy, meteorologist with the NWS in Pendleton, said the incoming weather should help improve the often-smoky conditions Central Oregon residents have been dealing with in recent weeks.

“It really should clear out the smoke and everything,” he said. “The rain’s going to be damping down the fires, so they’re not going to be putting out as much smoke, and we should get some breezy west winds that will kind of help to mix the air.”

Locations above 5,000 feet could see some snow this week. Snow is in the forecast at Mt. Bachelor, including 3 to 7 inches Monday night, where high temperatures are only expected to reach the mid-30s over the next few days.

High temperatures in Bend are expected to reach only the mid-50s through Friday.

It’s expected to be slightly warmer in Redmond and cooler to the south, where residents of La Pine and Sunriver could experience below-freezing temperatures.

Conditions are expected to improve next weekend. Murphy said warmer weather should begin returning Saturday, and by the middle of next week, high temperatures across much of Central Oregon could return to the mid-70s.

— Reporter: 541-383-0387, shammers@bendbulletin.com